Facebook Slideshow: Best Practices

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Whether you are a seasoned veteran to Facebook, new to the platform for your business, or simply looking to diversify your ads, determining which ad type to use can be a little tricky. While standard image, carousel, and video formats each have their strengths, Slideshow ads can be beneficial too.

Slideshow ads are an ad unit that, much like videos, appear in a user’s News Feed to illustrate a brand’s message in a dynamic format. The slideshow provides a video feel without the cost and time necessary for production. You can use stock images provided by Facebook or upload up to seven custom images to build out your Slideshow.

If the cost and time elements weren’t major selling points for you to start using the Slideshow feature, let’s talk about reach. Every user loves to stream media online and on their device, but sometimes a slow connection and low bandwidth gets in the way of their enjoyment and your potential conversion. With the Slideshow ad’s smaller file size, Facebook ensures that your story gets told to the right users no matter the connection.

The following tips can help you get the most engagement out of your Slideshow experience:

Slideshow Text

Facebook allows you to choose as few as three and as many as seven images for your ad. While you can have text overlay, we recommend minimizing the amount of text so users on mobile get a clearer picture of your message.

Image Duration

Make sure the image duration is long enough for the user to get your message but short enough to keep them engaged! Two seconds is an ideal sweet spot.

Aspect Ratio

Want your Slideshow to run on both Facebook and Instagram? No problem! From square to rectangle to vertical, Facebook has you covered. Just make sure to select the ratio that best presents your image on the platform.

Is your brand taking advantage of Slideshow? Let us know!

About the author

Meredith Ausenbaugh

Meredith joined 3Q Digital in the fall of 2016 after graduating from Wellesley College. She discovered her passion for all things digital while interning at the Department of Labor. As a Psychology major, Meredith loves learning more about what moves people to action. She is excited to explore Chicago’s diverse neighborhoods and music venues.